With
the holidays coming up, deciding what gift to buy for our loved ones is playing
on our minds, and it can be especially difficult to know what to buy if you
have vegan friends or family. So, what does being vegan actually mean? Of
course, we all know vegans don’t eat meat and dairy, which is easy enough to
avoid, but did you know that they also do not wear or consume any animal by-products
whatsoever? This includes fur, silk, wool, honey, feathers, gelatin, leather,
and the list goes on. Therefore, buying your vegan sister-in-law a pair of
wooly socks this Christmas would be a huge faux pas! Any product that contains
anything derived from animals is a big no-no when deciding what to buy for
someone who practices veganism.
Luckily,
due to the growing popularity of veganism, there are lots of great gifts on the
market that do not contain any animal products whatsoever. So, if you have
vegan loved ones to buy for this Christmas, or perhaps just have some animal-loving
or eco-conscious relatives or friends (vegan gifts aren’t just reserved for
vegans, remember!), here are a few of the best gift ideas that are 100% free of
animal products:
Vegan gummy bears
Not
all gummy bears are naturally vegan friendly. Along with many other types of
chewy candy, gummy bears are usually made with gelatin, which comes from cows
or pigs. This vegan gummy bear
kit
is a great, fun gift idea for any vegans in your life who you suspect might
miss the sweet, chewy goodness of gummy bears.
Not only will they get to enjoy a tasty treat, but they also get to make
the gummy bears themselves, which is an exciting, creative project!
Beeswax-free lip balm
Many
lip balms contain beeswax, which as an animal by-product is not vegan-friendly.
However, this lip balm is 100% vegan, as well as
being highly moisturizing due to being packed with avocado and coconut oils. At
only $5, this is a perfect stocking filler for anyone who wants the feeling of
smooth, moisturized lips without the use of beeswax. It is not tinted so is
perfectly gender neutral and appropriate for just about anyone!
A cruelty-free vegan shaving brush
Did
you know that many traditional shaving brushes use badger hair for the
bristles? Unfortunately, the badgers have kept on highly unregulated farms and
are often subjected to extremely poor conditions and cruelty. Luckily, there
are vegan alternatives that use synthetic or plant-based materials instead of
animal hair for the bristles. This vegan shaving
brush
is a great gift idea for the man in your life who wants the class and sophistication
of an old fashioned shave, without the animal by-products found in traditional
shaving brushes.
A cookbook packed with vegan recipes
Eating
a vegan diet doesn’t have to be boring. Some people think it’s just salad and
tofu, but they couldn’t be more wrong! There are hundreds of vegan-friendly
recipes out there that make use of all the plant-based goodies that nature has
to offer. This cookbook by Patricia Tanumihardja
offers an amazing selection of exciting vegan Asian recipes, such as crispy
spring rolls, Korean-style buffalo broccoli and sweet potato rice stew. This
would be an ideal gift for someone who has been practicing veganism for a long
time and is looking for new ideas or for someone considering becoming vegan and
who wants to see what meal options are out there (other than salad!).
A leaf leather wallet
Yes,
it’s exactly what it sounds like: a wallet made of
leaves.
Now, that might sound ridiculous, but leaf leather is actually an incredibly
strong and durable animal leather alternative. As well as being cruelty-free
and environmentally friendly, leaf leather is water-resistant and comes in a
range of different colors. Even trees aren’t harmed in the production process,
as the wallets are only made from fallen leaves. This is a beautiful,
handcrafted gift that would be perfect for any of your vegan loved ones who
might be looking for a vegan-friendly wallet. The company behind leaf leather,
Tree Tribe, also makes journals, clutch bags, travel bags and many other
products from this unusual and vegan-friendly leather.
Vegan chocolate truffles
Contrary
to popular belief, being vegan doesn’t have to mean giving up chocolate.
Plant-based chocolate is becoming more and more common and makes a great gift
for vegans and non-vegans alike! This truffle
collection is not only free from animal products but is also GMO-free and organic,
so it is a perfect gift for those who prefer natural ingredients. The box
contains a range of differently flavored truffles, such as dark espresso and
creamy hazelnut.
‘Powered by Plants’ statement t-shirt
This
bold statement
tee
from Etsy that reads ‘Powered by Plants’ is perfect for the loud and proud
vegan in your life. It comes in a range of different colors and is unisex so it
would be great for both your male and female vegan friends! It is a loose fit
style with a crewneck design. So, if you have a vegan friend that won’t ever
stop talking about veganism or trying to convince everyone of the benefits,
what better gift than a t-shirt that advertises their beliefs for all to see?
A soy-based candle
Many
candles are made from beeswax and therefore are not vegan-friendly. However,
some candlemakers have taken to making their products from soy wax, as it is a
great plant-based alternative. This candle from Etsy is handmade in
California and scented with California pine, which is a delightfully fresh and
festive fragrance. It has a subtle and natural scent and has been designed to
emulate the real smell of a pine forest and avoids being overly fragrant and
overpowering. It is also free from additives, dyes, and chemicals. This would
be a great present for any vegans in your life who prefer things to be all-natural,
as this candle is both made from natural products and has a natural smell and
appearance.
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